Tributes paid to people’s champ Brian
TRIBUTES have been paid to an award-winning community champion and “true gentleman” following his death, aged 77.
Brian Beston, a former secretary of the Woodnook Residents Association, passed away peacefully at his home on Yorkshire Street, Accrington, on Friday, August 27. He had suffered a stroke in May, but had been undergoing rehabilitation and had been determined to get better.
Brian, who had walked with a stick since his 40s, was a familiar and popular face in and around Woodnook. The grandfather-of-four and passionate gardener and classical music enthusiast was also a Woodnook Primary governor.
Along with the late
Coun Tony Dobson, Brian supported former Hyndburn Mayor Paul Barton throughout his time as a Barnfield ward councillor to help make many positive changes in the area, working tirelessly alongside the association’s then chair Brenda Radcliffe.
Paul, who is handling the funeral service, said: “I was deeply honoured to work alongside Brian, who was a true gentleman. Together we helped make many positive changes in the area.
“One in particular was the hanging basket project to help make Woodnook a brighter place.”
In 2009, Paul as Mayor presented Brian with a special Mayor’s Award for his services to the community, along with the Green Partnership Award for his contribution to local park improvements.
Daughter Laura, a teaching assistant at Peel Park Primary School, said: “He did quite a lot towards trying to get funding for Oakhill Park for the pond. They did it up and managed to get funding for the equipment for the schoolchildren to be able to go to the park and have the experience of pond dipping.
“He would look after the school garden during the summer holidays and would do tasks outside with the children and show them how to look after the garden.”
She said Brian was determined to make a difference in the area, and campaigned on issues such as potholes, as well as Woodnook’s major housing redevelopment.
“He was all for regeneration and pushing for it, and he thought of everybody else and the neighbours,” she said.
“It came naturally to him; he put his foot down when he knew something was wrong.”
Born and bred in the local area, Brian worked as a spinner as well as holding various roles at Holland’s Pies.
At the age of 52, he went to Accrington College to study German, English, Computing and Sociology.
In his spare time he was a big lover of Chinese New Year and Chinese food, stamp collecting, the Spiritualist church, and had pen pals in the States.
Above all he was happiest when among friends, and he loved his neighbours - liking to buy treats for their dogs Buster and Ella.
Brian leaves daughters Laura and Sarah, son-inlaw Michael, and grandchildren Leah, Louis, Harry and Ellie.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3pm on Tuesday, September 7, at Accrington Crematorium.